MADRID (AP) — Defending champion Actual Madrid could not handle greater than a 1-1 draw at Mallorca in Kylian Mbappé’s first Spanish league match on Sunday.
In his second recreation with Madrid after debuting midweek, Mbappe failed to interrupt by means of. The France nice had scored in Madrid’s 2-0 win in opposition to Atalanta within the UEFA Tremendous Cup on Wednesday.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti began with the identical squad that beat Atalanta, with Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Mbappé in assault.
“They alter place infrequently,” Ancelotti stated of Vinicius and Mbappé. “Generally Mbappé performs extra centrally and typically one of many two has to occupy this flank, with out a explicit plan. It will depend on how they really feel about it.”
It was Rodrygo who put Madrid forward in opposition to Mallorca 13 minutes into the match, however the hosts equalized with Vedat Muriqi’s purpose within the 53rd.
“We acquired off to an excellent begin, taking the lead after which had an opportunity to get the second purpose,” Ancelotti stated. “We didn’t discover the steadiness within the second half. We might have misplaced as there was no steadiness on the again. It wasn’t an excellent recreation. We have to defend higher. We’re a really attacking workforce, however defensive steadiness is a elementary issue.”
Madrid defender Ferland Mendy was despatched off deep into second-half stoppage time for a tough foul on Muriqi.
“I don’t need to make excuses for something, however we simply have to do higher and with a greater perspective,” Ancelotti stated. “We will be taught lots from this match. It’s fairly clear the place our issues might come from.”
Rafael Nadal, who’s from the island of Mallorca, was amongst these watching the match on the Son Moix Stadium.
Mallorca’s gamers supplied a guard of honor for the Tremendous Cup winners, lining as much as applaud the Madrid workforce as they entered the sphere earlier than kickoff.
Sociedad surprised at residence
Actual Sociedad, which completed sixth final season, was upset 2-1 at residence by Rayo Vallecano, which fought to keep away from relegation within the final marketing campaign.
Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello scored second-half targets to place Rayo in entrance, whereas Sociedad solely discovered the online with Martín Zubimendi’s purpose deep into stoppage time.
On Saturday, Robert Lewandowski scored twice to provide Barcelona a 2-1 win at Valencia in coach Hansi Flick’s Spanish league debut.
Atletico Madrid visits Villarreal on Monday.
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